Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Dan Logsdon is ridiculing freshman Republican Congressmen Andy Barr and Thomas Massie for voting against aid for victims of Superstorm Sandy.Last Friday, Congress approved a $9.7 billion package to help homeowners, renters and businesses pay for flood insurance claims caused by the hurricane. The Republican-controlled House passed the measure with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 354-to-67 vote.In a telephone interview, Logsdon tells WFPL that Barr and Massie's actions have embarrassed Kentucky, adding natural disasters shouldn't be used to make a point about federal spending."It shouldn't be politicized. When our neighbors need help we should give them help. When a natural disaster occurs the rest of us should want to help that affected region," he says.Logsdon also penned an editorial in the Lexington Herald-Leader outlining his objections to the GOP members vote.As Lexington ABC-36's Christine Winter reports, Barr said his 'no' vote wasn't against residents of New York or New Jersey receiving relief, but rather a call for lawmakers to be fiscally responsible when making those decisions."As I have traveled the Sixth District, people have consistently asked me to bring common sense to Washington, and pay for what we spend. I strongly support getting immediate federal relief to the victims of Hurricane Sandy," Barr said in a statement. "But Congress should be willing to work harder to get our job done in a fiscally responsible manner. We should have stayed here as late as necessary to offset the emergency appropriations with an equal amount of savings."Massie's office did not respond to our request for comment.
